мое дело маленькое

• МОЕ <тво€ игл.> ДЕЛО МАЛЕНЬКОЕ{{}}

[sent; these forms only; most often 1st pers; fixed WO]

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⇒ (used by the speaker to justify himself for not being, or wanting to be, involved in sth.; also used to express the speaker's opinion that another should not get involved in sth.) it does not concern me (you etc) (because I, you etc have a small, insignificant role in the matter in question, hold little or no power); I (you etc) cannot be held responsible (for sth.):

- Х-ово дело маленькое{{}}≈ that's not up to X;

- it's not X's affair;

- it has little (nothing) to do with X;

- it's none of X's business (concern);

- it's not X's place to get involved;

- X has no place getting involved;

- [in limited contexts] X is just a little guy;

- X's job is to obey.

     ♦ Уродилось, не уродилось на полях - твоё дело маленькое. Пайка тебе обеспечена (Абрамов 1). Whether the crops ripened or whether they didn't - nothing to do with you. You got your rations regardless (1a).

     ♦ "Бродяга он, не бродяга, хуй [taboo] его знает, - сказал Алёшка, - тёмный человек. Ну, да наше дело маленькое, нам с ним не детей крестить" (Лимонов 1). "He may be a bum or he may not, how the fuck should I know," Alyoshka said. "A shady character. Well, it's none of our business, we don't have to be buddies with him..." (1a).

     ♦ "Надо полагать - Королёвка?" - сотник указал на деревушку глазами. Вахмистр подъехал к нему молча. Выражение его лица без слов говорило: "Вам лучше знать. Наше дело маленькое" (Шолохов 2). "That must be Korolevka?" the lieutenant indicated the village with his eyes. The sergeant-major rode up to him without replying. His expression said without words, "You know best. Our job is to obey" (2a).